The Great Western Woodlands Collaboration welcomes the release of the Barnett government’s landmark Great Western Woodlands Biodiversity and Cultural Conservation Strategy.
Download the Biodiversity and Cultural Conservation Strategy here.
I
t’s great that the government has recognised the global significance of this area and has developed this first ever conservation strategy for the Woodlands.
The Strategy was promised at the last State election and has been developed over the past two years by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) in association with a stakeholder reference group appointed by the Minister.
The reference group was made up of conservation groups, Traditional Owners, local councilors, landholders, scientists and mining and tourism industry representatives who have started to build a joint approach to caring for the Woodlands.
The Strategy provides a good overview of the threats to the Woodlands, with broad policy statements setting direction in a number of areas. Through the DEC budget, it commits $3million over four years to on-ground operations and $800,000 to capital works.
Particularly welcome are the commitments in the Strategy to providing conservation management over the whole area and for joint management with the Traditional Owners, an initiative conservation groups strongly support.
Looking towards the future
Working through the successful regional stakeholder engagement process, we can build on the Strategy and provide long term, secure recognition of the values of the Woodlands
In the short term the $3.8 million promised for management will soon be hitting the ground, addressing urgent needs such as fire management and control of feral weeds and animals.
We should applaud the WA government for this important step in better managing and protecting the natural and cultural values of the Great Western Woodlands.
We look forward to continuing to work with all interest groups to secure the future of WA’s Great Western Woodlands.
The view from the top of Peak Charles. Photo: Dr Barry Traill
